TNAG-0341-FCO40-377-Effects-on-Hong-Kong-of-long-term-policy-for-textiles-in-int-1972 — Page 38

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the

nee the enclosed record of preliminary meeting held

in the Office Hy between Haddon-Cave, DTT and ourselves in which we discussed various practical possibilities (paragraphs 12-15). You will also note that we are to have further meetings in September, before which we need to establish a Whitehall view.

IL. It is self-evident that practical difficulties will arise over and above any that may exist at present in regard to the interests of Hong Kong as compared to those of the United Kingdom. These will mainly emerge as British commercial policy becomes aligned with that of the Community. How, in practice) can Hong Kong's GATT relationship be invoked with the other 9 members when the United Kingdom as Admini- stering Power has adopted the same policies, but is outside the GATT relationship? How, at even more practical day-to-day working level, will Hong Kong be represented physically? Until ow it has been pos- sible for Hong Kong to be represented by a delegate, officially part of the UK team. Will this still bo feasible when our policies are identical to those of our community partners, and an issue taken up by Hong Kong in relation to the other 9 will ipso facto be extended to the UK? We kno", of course, that the EFC is generally represented in practice at the GATT by a Commission spokesman who acts on the member states behalf, which after our accession will include our-

elves. What will be the likely reaction of the Com- ission and the member states to any solution un devic??

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